Numbering machine



1959 KlMPEl NlsfileoRl ETAL 2,899,891

NUMBERING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1- Filed Aug. 30. 1957 Aug. 18, 1959 KIMPEI NlSHlGORl H L 2,899,891

NUMBERING momma:

Filed Aug. 30, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m .n I

Patented Aug. 18, 1959 NUMBERING MACHINE K impei Nishigori and Takeo Hayashi, Nishi-Kambargun,

Niigata Prefecture, Japan, assignors to Maruzen Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan, a corporation of Japan Application August 30, 1957, Serial No. 681,330

. I 4 Claims. (Cl. 101-83) The present invention relates to a numbering machine, and particularly to one capable of printing any desirable numerals repetitively for any desired number of times.

In numbering machines hitherto used, the printed numeral changes every time the machine is operated and the same numeral cannot be printed repeatedly. Furthermore, if a numeral has once been erroneously applied, it has heretofore been necessary to correct the numeral by using an appropriate tool and revolving the rotary numeral wheel of the numbering machine. Thus, inefiicient operation and inconvenience have resulted.

In order to overcome such disadvantages, inherent in numbering machines, the present invention provides a machine in which an auxiliary frame, carrying a novel assembly, is moved downwardly by a handle and upwardly' by a spring within a main frame. The auxiliary frame carries a rotary spindle upon which a series of numeral wheels, a rotary plate and a ratchet wheel are rotatably mounted, and upon which a toothed stop wheel is mounted and fixed. At one end the rotary spindle extends beyond the auxiliary frame and through a longitudinal guide slot in the main frame and therebeyond.

In order to set the machine for repeating a numeral a given number of times, a dial is fixed to the end of the spindle outside of the main frame, and a concentric knurled hand piece is fixed to the dial to permit manipulation thereof with respect to an indicator fixed upon the main frame. The mentioned elements are set by means of the hand piece, the dial and the stop wheel, all fixed to the rotary spindle. Such setting permits the ratchet Wheel to be rotated without effect for a given number of operations of the machine by a claw carried upon the main frame. At the same time the rotary plate is locked to prevent movement of the numeral wheels. When the desired number of like numerals has been applied, according to the setting of the machine, the ratchet wheel is advanced unlocking the rotary plate and permitting the machine to resume its application of sequential numerals.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a numbering machine constructed and arranged according to the invention, a part thereof being shown in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of certain parts of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a similar numbering machine embodying means for changing the numeral to be applied by a manually operable wheel, a part of the machine being shown in broken outline;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the numbering machine shown in Fig. 3 as seen from beneath; and

Fig. 5 is a broken view of the machine illustrated in Fig. 3, the machine being turned through 180' about a horizontal axis extending at right angles to the direction in which the observer is looking the rotary spindle being displaced toward the base of the machine, and a reciprocating rod being in engagement with a numeral wheel.

Referring to the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a numbering ma chine comprising a main frame 1 having a longitudinal guide slot 2 therein. Reciprocable within the main frame 1 is an auxiliary frame 5, a shaft 3 being fixed to the auxiliary frame 5 and to a handle 4 above the frame for moving-the latterdownwardly, and a spring surrounding the shaft and compressed between the main frame 1 and the handle 4 to move the auxiliary frame 5 upwardly.

Carried by the auxiliary frame 5, with one end extending through the guide slot 2 in the main frame 1, is a rotary spindle 15. Mounted for free rotation upon the rotary spindle 15 is a series of numeral wheels 6, only two of such wheels being illustrated in Fig. 2. Each numeral wheel 6 was formed in sequence upon its periphery the numerals 0 to 9.

Also mounted for free rotation upon the rotary spindle 15 is a rotary plate having oppositely disposed engaging recesses 23 and 24 in its periphery for a purpose which will later appear. Further, a ratchet wheel 22 is mounted for free rotation upon the rotary spindle 15,

an arcuate slot 27, with a center in the axis of the spindle 15 extending through the ratchet wheel from face to face. A pin 28 is fixed to the ratchet wheel 22 near its center and extends therefrom in a direction away from the rotary plate 25; and a pin 29 is fixed to the ratchet R as an index to setting of the machine.

wheel adjacent its toothed periphery, extending in a direction parallel to that of the pin 28. The function of these pins will be later explained.

Mounted upon the rotary spindle 15 and fixed thereto is a stop wheel 21 having a suitable number of stop teeth 20 at its periphery. The stop wheel 21 is spaced from the ratchet wheel 22 on the side thereof from which the pins 28 and 29 project. A rod 26 has one end secured to the stop wheel 21 adjacent its toothed periphery and extends substantially parallel to the rotary spindle 15 With its other end projecting through the slot 27 in the ratchet wheel 22. A spring 30, coiled about the rotary spindle 15 has one end attached to the pin 28 on the ratchet wheel 22 and the opposite end attached to the rod 26 where it is secured to the stop wheel 21.

The machine is set for repeating the application of a numeral by means of a dial 17 fixed to the end of the rotary spindle 15 beyond the guide slot 2 in the main frame 1. Adjacent the periphery of the dial 17 there are marked in clockwise sequence C 2 3 4 5 12 A coaxial knurled hand piece 18 is fixed to the dial 17 whereby the latter, and the rotary spindle 15, may be easily turned. An indicator 19, fixed to the main frame 1 coacts with the dial 17 in effecting the setting.

grasping the hand piece 18, to turn the rotary spindle 15,

and with it the stop wheel 21, against the resiliently held claw 31.

The wheel engaging claw 32 engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel 22 to prevent rotation of that wheel in one direction. As illustrated in Fig. 2, this is the counterclockwise direction. A spring 40 resiliently holds the claw 32 in engaging position.

The claw 34 has an end projection 33 thereon which is adapted to engage one of the engaging recesses 23 and 24 in the periphery of the rotary plate 25. A spring 41 resiliently urges the claw 34 toward engaging position.

The claw 32 has an arm 37 rigidly extending therefrom over the claw 31. Thus, when the claw 31 is lifted out of engagement with the teeth 20 of the stop wheel 21, the claw 32 is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 22. Similarly, the claw 32 has a rigid arm 38 extending therefrom over the claw 34. Thus, when the projection 33 is lifted out of therecess 23 or the recess 24 in which it has been positioned, the claw 32 is moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 22.

A hooked arm 36 extends rigidly from the claw 34, past the. rotary plate 25 and past the ratchet wheel 22, its hooked end 42 being turned inwardly of the ratchet wheel 22 adjacent the face thereof distant from the rotary plate, and into the path of rotation of the pin 29. The form of the arm 36 is such that engagement of its end 42 by the rotating pin 29 lifts the arm 36 and with it the claw 34. The projection 33 is thus removed from locking position within the recess 23 or the recess 24 in the rotary plate 25'.

The actuating members carried by the main frame 1 are generally speaking, of usual construction. Thus, a reversing claw 14, pivoted to the main frame 1, normally engages the ratchet wheel 22 each time the handle 4 is fully depressed, and turns the ratchet wheel by the equivalent of one numeral on the numeral wheel 6 bearing the unit numerals. conventional feed plate 11 slides along the periphery of the rotary plate 25, entering slightly the recess 23 of the rotary plate 25, rocks as the handle 4 moves the auxiliary frame 5, and the numeral wheels 6 are not turned.

The setting and operation of the numbering machine will now be described:

Assume that the next numeral to be applied is 356,

and that it is desired to apply or print this numeral 12 times. The dial 17 is turned by the hand piece 18 until 12 adjacent its periphery registers with the indicator 19. Such turning also turns the rotary spindle 15 and the stop wheel 21 to set the apparatus for 12 repetitions of the numeral 356. In making, this setting, the claw 31 is frictionally moved from between the teeth 20 of the stop wheel 21 and the arm 37 moves the claw 32 out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 22. The rod 26 is free to turn with the stop wheel to which one of its ends is attached, the other end moving in the arcuate slot 27 in the ratchet wheel 22. Meantime the ratchet wheel adjusts its position upon the rotary spindle 15 according to the tension of the spring 30 coiled about thcspindle, until the setting has been completed and the springs 39 and 40 have suitably applied the claws 31 and 32 to the stop wheel 21 and the ratchet wheel 22,v respectively.

Upon each downward movement of the handle 4, the numeral 356 will be repeatedly applied, the advancing claw 14 moving the ratchet wheel forward one numeral space, but the main feed claw 10 sliding along the periphery of the rotary plate 25, entering but slightly the recess 23 therein and not advancing the numerals on the numeral wheels 6. When the handle 4 is depressed for the claw 34. The rotary plate v2.5 is thus unlocked.

Thereupon, the main feed claw 10 engaging the recess 23 in the rotary plate 25 rotates the plate. The deep entry of the main feed claw 10 into the recess 23 causes.

the feed plate 11 to approach the rotary numeral wheel assembly 6, allowing a feed claw 9 of the feed plate to engage the peripheral engaging recess of the units numeral wheel to rotate that wheel through one'change of position to change the numeral 356 to the numeral 357. Without re-setting the apparatus, the numeral may then be repeated 12 times in the manner already described.

The embodiment illustrated in Figsc3 to is a machine wherein numerals may be very simply changed manually. In this embodiment a combined guide member and branch spindle 52 is mounted in the auxiliary 5 However, the main feed claw of the.

. 4 below the level of the numbering machine proper 51 carried thereby. If desired, it may be fitted detachably at one side of the auxiliary frame. The branch spindle 52 has mounted eccentrically thereon a rotary wheel 54, and a suitably shaped reciprocating rod 57 is pivoted at one end adjacent the periphery of the rotary wheel. The rod 57 may be bent to clear the branch spindle 52 when in retracted position, or to engage a groove therein, later to be described.

At the unpivoted end of the rod 57 a book 56 is formed, and the rod 57 extends from the rotary wheel 54 a sufiicient distance to engage with its hook 56, a

V groove 60 of a numeral wheel 6 of the group of numeral wheels 6. Thus, by revolving the rotary' wheel 54 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig; 5, the numeral wheel 6' may be turned through an angle corresponding to one numeral.

By reversing the rotation of the rotary wheel 54, the reciprocating rod 57 is retracted and the hook 56 enters the next groove 60 on the numeral wheel 6'. In the embodiment illustrated, the 'rotary' wheel 54 is reverselyrotated by mechanical means. Thus, a spring 61- is wound about a fitting spindle 55 and is fixed to a separate- 1 pin 62. Bypositioning the spindle on one member and the'pin'on the other the spring 61 is put in tension as the rotary wheel 54 isrotated to advance the rod 57, and automatically reverses the rotation of the wheel and retracts the rod when the wheel is released. 7

The branch" spindle 52 is provided with grooves 63 positioned to correspond with the respective numeral Wheels 6'; see Fig. 4. Other numeral wheel advancing units may be associated with these grooves, or the illustrated rotary wheel 54 may be shifted to position surrounding a groove which the rod 57 may engage when in retracted position.

An arcuate slot or groove 65 at right angles to the axis of the rotary wheel 54 gives lateral support to the rod 57 as it is advanced and retracted. Furthermore, knurling of the periphery of the rotary wheel 54 provides against slipping of the hand or finger when operating the apparatus and assures accurate manipulation.

It will also be observed that independently of the rotary wheel 54, the rod 57 may be given an accurate movement through its contact with the branch spindle 52 as the end hook 56 engages a groove 60 in the operated numeral Wheel 6 to'revoke the latter.

We claim:

1. A numbering machine comprising a main frame, amain feeding claw and a reversing claw pivoted to said frame, an auxiliary frame reciprocable in said main frame for carrying the numerals to be applied by the machine,

a rotary spindle carried by said auxiliary frame, a series of numeral wheels mounted for free rotation on said rotary spindle, a rotary plate mounted for free rotation upon said rotary spindle adjacent said numeral wheels,. said rotary plate having oppositely disposed engaging. re-

cesses in its periphery, a ratchet wheel also mounted for free rotation about said rotary spindle, said ratchet wheel;

having an arcuate slot therein and also having a pinfixed thereto, adjacent its periphery, a toothed stopwheel fixedly mounted upon said rotary spindle, a rod fixed at one end to'said stop wheel, the other end of said rod extending into the slot in said ratchet wheel, and a' spring:

fixed at one end to said ratchet wheel, coiled about said rotary spindle and fixed at its other end to said rod at its point of fixationto said stop wheel to apply torque from said fixed stop wheel to said freely rotating ratchet wheel,

in combination with a manually operable dial fixed at one end of said rotatable spindle for setting the number:

of numeral repetitions of the machine, a common shaft,

.a stop claw pivoted on said common shaft for engaging. the teeth of said stop wheel, a claw pivoted on saidv shaft for engaging the. teeth of said ratchet wheel, a claw pivoted on said shaft for engaging one of the recesses in said rotary plate to prevent said main feeding claw from:.

.operating' to turn a numeral: wheel, and a. hooked arm 5 fixed to said rotary-plate-engaging claw, and extending to said ratchet wheel with its hook positioned in the path of rotation of the pin on said ratchet wheel to be lifted thereby and to lift said rotary plate engaging claw out of the recess on said rotary plate to permit turning of said numeral wheels.

2. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein arms extend from said ratchet-Wheel-engaging claw over said stop-wheel-engaging claw and said rotary-plateengaging claw for disengaging said ratchet-Wheel-engaging claw from said ratchet Wheel when said stop-wheelengaging claw or said rotary-plate-engaging claw is disengaged, and for releasing engaging pressure upon said rotary-plate-engaging claw when said ratchet-wheel-engaging claw is disengaged.

3. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein manually operated means is provided for rotating a selected numeral wheel, said means comprising a branch spindle carried by said auxiliary frame, a rotary wheel eccentrically mounted on said branch spindle, and a reciprocating rod pivoted at one end to said rotary wheel and having a hook formed at its other end 'for engaging a selected numeral wheel to rotate it.

4. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 3, Wherein said branch spindle has grooves therein corresponding with the respective numeral wheels for positioning said manually operating means for rotating the selected numeral wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 986,338 Wosinski Mar. 7, 1911 1,144,138 Kern June 22, 1915 1,648,276 Kern Nov. 8, 1927 1,906,019 Svensson Apr. 25, 1933 

